MOUNT OLIVE, NC – A three goal spurt in a 1:50 span in the second half propelled the Pfeiffer women’s lacrosse team (9-2, 3-0 CC) to a 9-5 victory at Mount Olive (9-3, 3-2) on Thursday afternoon. Ashleigh Kassab recorded a hat trick, with her third score of the afternoon giving her 30 on the season.

Mount Olive held a slim 29-28 advantage in shots in the contest and took a 25-17 edge in ground balls. Pfeiffer won nine of 15 draw controls on the afternoon with five coming from Katherine Athens. Mount Olive went just 1-for-6 on free position shots while Pfeiffer converted on their only attempt.

Cassidy Wilson earned the win in goal as she made 16 saves and allowed only five goals.

Mount Olive scored first this afternoon when Katie McGovern beat Wilson just under eight minutes into the contest. Athens would set up Pfeiffer’s first score of the day as she assisted on Sarah Daly’s tally with 19:23 left in the half. Kassab’s first goal gave Pfeiffer a lead but Mount Olive answered 7:02 later. Kassab responded 40 seconds after the Trojans evened the game, which turned out to be the game-winner. With 24 seconds left in the half, Kristi Korn scored a huge goal to send Pfeiffer into the break with a 4-2 advantage.

The lead was extended to 5-2 on Stephanie Athens first goal of the game off an assist from Kayla Bedwell. However, Mount Olive struck for two goals in 1:53 to make the game 5-4 with plenty of time to play.

Mackenzie Rolland, Korn and Kassab each scored in the aforementioned 1:50 to give Pfeiffer a commanding 8-4 lead with 9:06 left on the clock.

Britton Muir’s caused turnover and ground ball pickup directly led to Korn’s score and Katnerine Athens won the ensuing draw control that Kassab later put in the back of the net.

The Trojans briefly cut the lead to three but Rolland put the game out of reach as she scored with 1:28 left with the assist going to Katherine Athens.

Katherine Athens led the way with seven ground balls and also caused four of Pfeiffer’s six turnovers on the day.

Wilson was excellent in net and improved her conference-leading save percentage to .618 with her 16 saves.

Pfeiffer returns to action Saturday afternoon as they host Erskine at NE Lefko Field. The game is scheduled to begin at noon.